Iron Ore and Dry Bulk Freight, Mint Finance

Umang Agrawal

Iron Ore and Dry Bulk Freight

Deep Fundamental Analysis

Mint Finance

Mint Finance's investment research blends deep fundamental analysis with technical & quant insights. Investment strategies straddle across multiple asset classes with risk management embedded into every trade to deliver an outsized reward-to-risk ratio.

Mint Finance's research is centered around three key themes. First, energy transition and climate change. Second, artificial intelligence. Third, shifting world order with its impact across politics and monetary economics.

Commodities

Iron ores are rocks and minerals from which metallic iron can be economically extracted. The ores are usually rich in iron oxides and vary in color from dark grey, bright yellow, deep purple, to rusty red. The iron itself is usually found in the form of magnetite (Fe3O4, 72.4% Fe), hematite (Fe2O3, 69.9% Fe), goethite (FeO(OH), 62.9% Fe), limonite (FeO(OH).n(H2O)) or siderite (FeCO3, 48.2% Fe).

<ul>
<li>Simandou’s arrival and softer mill output signal a clear shift toward weaker near-term demand, even as some investors position for policy surprises.</li>
<li>Technical signals point to stretched momentum, with the broader setup now tilting toward elevated odds of a near-term mean-reversion pullback.</li>
<li>The 65–62 spread climbed sharply this week, while the 62–58 spread moved lower, marking a notable divergence across grade differentials.</li>
</ul>


Simandou’s arrival and softer mill output signal a clear shift toward weaker near-term demand, even as some investors position for policy surprises.
Technical signals point to stretched momentum, with the broader setup now tilting toward elevated odds of a near-term mean-reversion pullback.
The 65–62 spread climbed sharply this week, while the 62–58 spread moved lower, marking a notable divergence across grade differentials.


Iron Ore Rally Stretches Thin as Technicals Flash Pullback Risk

Rubber News Specialist, Helixtap

Vinod Nedumudy

Rubber News Specialist

Global Commodities Alternative Data and Insights

Helixtap

Helixtap collects, processes and distributes proprietary data, analyses and forecasts for the rubber, latex and automotive markets

SGX Technically Specified Rubber 20 (TSR20) Futures: Effective from 16th May 2011, this contract will be migrated from SICOM platform to the SGX-DT platform. It will cease trading on SICOM at the close of business day Friday, 13th May 2011. Trading hours are revised as 7.55am to 6.00pm (no lunch break). Please refer to SGX products website for the new revised contract specifications. Exchange symbol: TF. Product Specifications: https://www2.sgx.com/derivatives/products/sicom-rubber?cc=TF

Highlights
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ENSO Conditions to be Neutral to Negative, But Not Falling to La Nina
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Session at COP30 Focuses on Smallholders in Climate Action
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 Integrating Climate Resilience into Production Systems Not Optional Dr. S. Abhilash, Director, Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi, India, warns the Indonesia and Malaysia regions of above normal rainfall in December that can impact rubber supply as well.
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</ul>

Highlights


ENSO Conditions to be Neutral to Negative, But Not Falling to La Nina


Session at COP30 Focuses on Smallholders in Climate Action


 Integrating Climate Resilience into Production Systems Not Optional  Dr. S. Abhilash, Director, Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi, India, warns the Indonesia and Malaysia regions of above normal rainfall in December that can impact rubber supply as well.



Weather Portends Both Hope and Concern in Southeast Asia in Dec

Breaking Down the Mining News of the Day, Money of Mine

Money of Mine

Breaking Down the Mining News of the Day

An ex-underground miner, an ex-investment banker, and an ex-equity research guy breaking down the mining news of the day. It's a bit of entertainment, information, and occasionally some alpha.

Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au (from Latin: aurum) and the atomic number 79. In its purest form, it is a bright, slightly reddish yellow, dense, soft, malleable and ductile metal. Chemically, gold is a transition metal and a group 11 element. It is one of the least reactive chemical elements, and is solid under standard conditions. The metal therefore occurs often in free elemental (native) form, as nuggets or grains, in rocks, in veins and in alluvial deposits. It occurs in a solid solution series with the native element silver (as electrum) and also naturally alloyed with copper and palladium. Less commonly, it occurs in minerals as gold compounds, often with tellurium (gold tellurides).

<ul><li>Central banks have been buying gold since after the GFC to diversify from US Dollars, underpinning the market with tightness</li><li>Gold bull markets have been influenced by periods of conflict and economic stability, with central banks playing a significant role in influencing the price</li><li>The second gold bull market starting around 2000 saw the gold industry aggressively buying back their hedges, pushing the price up alongside central bank buying and market forces</li></ul>This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only.

Central banks have been buying gold since after the GFC to diversify from US Dollars, underpinning the market with tightnessGold bull markets have been influenced by periods of conflict and economic stability, with central banks playing a significant role in influencing the priceThe second gold bull market starting around 2000 saw the gold industry aggressively buying back their hedges, pushing the price up alongside central bank buying and market forcesThis content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only.

Why The Mining Boom is Just Beginning (Hedley Widdup)

Chief Economist, Aletheia Capital

Dr. Jim Walker

Chief Economist

Independent and original Asian investment research

Aletheia Capital

Aletheia Capital (HK) Ltd. (previously known as Asianomics) combines the extensive knowledge of its experienced team with technology and regulatory changes to disrupt Global Markets business in Asia. The firm is completely independent with no conflicts of interest either on Investment Banking advisory or Capital Markets execution.

Macroeconomics

<ul><li data-start="0" data-end="156">United States shows deepening slowdown with weak ISM manufacturing, falling employment, and declining private payrolls, signaling rising recession risk.</li><li data-start="157" data-end="277">India and China exhibit relatively constructive economic prospects, contrasting with softness in advanced economies.</li><li data-start="278" data-end="428" data-is-last-node="">Asian indicators are mixed, with Indonesia struggling on trade and Hong Kong retail sales recovering gradually but remaining below pre-COVID levels.</li></ul>

United States shows deepening slowdown with weak ISM manufacturing, falling employment, and declining private payrolls, signaling rising recession risk.India and China exhibit relatively constructive economic prospects, contrasting with softness in advanced economies.Asian indicators are mixed, with Indonesia struggling on trade and Hong Kong retail sales recovering gradually but remaining below pre-COVID levels.

Walker’s Weekly: Dr. Jim's Summary of Key Global Macro Developments - 5 Dec 2025

Independent Price Reporting Agency, QC Intel

Quantum Commodity Intelligence

Independent Price Reporting Agency

QC Intel

We are an independent price reporting agency (PRA) providing price assessments, original news and trade data for the global energy transition markets.

Our mission is to bring greater transparency to these rapidly developing markets, powering transactions and helping the world to decarbonize as efficiently as possible.

Crude oil is a naturally occurring, unrefined petroleum product composed of hydrocarbon deposits and other organic materials. Crude oil can be refined to produce usable products such as gasoline, diesel and various forms of petrochemicals. It is a nonrenewable resource, also known as a fossil fuel, which means that it can't be replaced naturally at the rate we consume it and is therefore a limited resource.

<ul><li>Crude oil futures on Thursday were climbing higher, as benchmarks maintained the firmer start to December, albeit amid conflicting signals.</li><li>Front-month Feb26 ICE Brent futures were trading at $63.31/b (2033 GMT) versus Wednesday's settle of $62.67/b, while Jan26 NYMEX WTI was at $ 59.72/b against a previous close of $58.95/b.</li><li>Prices have found some support this week from the fading prospects of a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the broader rise in geopolitical tensions, but it has not been enough to shake off the gloom around a growing surplus.</li></ul>

Crude oil futures on Thursday were climbing higher, as benchmarks maintained the firmer start to December, albeit amid conflicting signals.Front-month Feb26 ICE Brent futures were trading at $63.31/b (2033 GMT) versus Wednesday's settle of $62.67/b, while Jan26 NYMEX WTI was at $ 59.72/b against a previous close of $58.95/b.Prices have found some support this week from the fading prospects of a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the broader rise in geopolitical tensions, but it has not been enough to shake off the gloom around a growing surplus.

Oil futures: Crude touches weekly highs on geopolitical tensions

Insights Relevant to South Africa Equity Markets